Preview: Loyola Marymount Lions at Gonzaga Bulldogs

SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — The top-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, riding a nine-game winning streak and showcasing one of the nation’s most potent offenses, host the surging Loyola Marymount Lions in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball clash Sunday at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Gonzaga (14-1, 2-0 WCC) has been dominant since its lone loss at Michigan in November, averaging 92.4 points during its current streak. That includes a 99-93 road victory at San Diego on Tuesday. Graduate guard Jalen Warley has been a key catalyst, scoring a season-high 22 points with five assists in that win. The Bulldogs’ resume features nonconference wins over Kentucky, Alabama and UCLA.

Loyola Marymount (10-5, 1-1) arrives with confidence after an 80-71 home victory over Pacific on Tuesday. The Lions have won three of their last four, with their only loss in that span a narrow 78-73 defeat to Saint Mary’s. Senior forward Jalen Shelley leads the charge, averaging 15.0 points over his last five games. He posted 17 points and two blocks in the win over Pacific, part of a trio of double-digit scorers that included Jan Vide (18 points) and Myron Amey (20 points).

The Lions will need a balanced scoring effort and stout defense to challenge the Bulldogs on their home floor, where Gonzaga is 7-0 this season and has won 43 consecutive WCC regular-season games. LMU has not defeated Gonzaga since the 2020 WCC Tournament.

Sunday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings. The Bulldogs continue a three-game homestand next Thursday against Santa Clara, while the Lions return home to host San Francisco next Thursday.